New build - need help

[dtum]

Well, I'm thinking of upgrading from my 28 gallon JBJ Nanocube Advanced LED. Although this is a fairly nice setup, I'm already finding that it is not the dream system I'd like to have for the long term.

A few things I don't like about the current system: too small of a volume of water, SPS corals don't seem to like the lighting too much (lots of browning), quite limited selection of fish, extremely narrow profile - can't really enjoy seeing fish swim.

I need to upgrade the system to something better, this time it will be a custom system and I want something that will not tempt me to upgrade for the next 3-4 years (a tall order, indeed).

I can't have a very large system either, since the room I am going to put it into is not large.

First I decided to have a 24x20x20 system (40 gallons) + a 30 gallon sump. It would be great, since it would only require a single Radion fixture. However, once I started measuring things, this would only give me extra 6 inches over the current system and that's not enough. So now I am leaning towards a 36 by 20 by 20 system, which is 58 gallons.

I hope to use this thread to ask a few questions and get help from you. So here we go:

- one Radion is probably not enough (although I've seen some pretty impressive examples), but if I get two, how do I arrange them and would there be any light spillage?
- what kind of overflow should I use for it, I need for the system to be virtually silent
- what type of pump is recommended?
- I was thinking of getting a single MP40, would that be enough?

Thanks.

 

[chrisd1009]

Off of my own experience and your requirements, I'm just going to say, go Tunze rather than Vortex. They are quieter. If you can purchase 2 smaller, controllable tunze for slightly above the cost of 1 MP40, I'd do that. Return pump, I'd go ehiem 1260 or 1262. Quiet, reliable and efficient. There are a couple of threads for silent overflows (I've been researching them as well) on the site,you may want to look at them. I have no experience with Raidons, but the thought of water motion (MP40wes) and lighting on a single controller is VERY attractive.
These are my opinion. You know what they say about opinions?

 

[dtum]

Off of my own experience and your requirements, I'm just going to say, go Tunze rather than Vortex. They are quieter. If you can purchase 2 smaller, controllable tunze for slightly above the cost of 1 MP40, I'd do that. Return pump, I'd go ehiem 1260 or 1262. Quiet, reliable and efficient. There are a couple of threads for silent overflows (I've been researching them as well) on the site,you may want to look at them. I have no experience with Raidons, but the thought of water motion (MP40wes) and lighting on a single controller is VERY attractive.
These are my opinion. You know what they say about opinions?

Would a single MP40 be fine? Good suggestion for the skimmer, what about more exotic varieties, like Bubble King?
As for the power heads, I do like the ability for them to work in tandem with the lights, also I've heard that MP40 has a very nice gentle flow.

 

[dtum]

Well, I'm zeroing in on the specs:

36x22x22 Display Tank
30x15x? Sump
Bubble King 160 Skimmer
MP40w powerhead